Prop 8 anniversary in LA draws 150 and a Police Commissioner
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
November 5, 2009 3:30 PM
Openly gay Los Angeles Police Commission Rob Saltzman was among about 150 people of all ages who rallied at the Metro station at Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Ave Wednesday night marking the one year anniversary of the passage of Prop 8. Several also carried signs criticizing Maine for banning their marriage equality law from going into effect.
Here are some photos from the rally and march up Vermont Ave:
Also among the rally speakers were Robin Tyler and her (legal) wife Diane Olson, and their attorney Gloria Allred, who has filed several marriage lawsuits on their behalf. Matt Weinstein from the US Department of Commerce also urged same sex couples and domestic partners to fill out the 2010 US Census forms when they come around - noting the historic change in policy of now including gay people.
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9 Comments
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It was a wonderful night, but did you march with them and were you at the final rally point? It was more than 150...
Robert Olivarez | November 5, 2009 3:36 PM
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Hi.
I marched about half way and asked three different cops and several marchers their guesstimates of the crowd size and that was the number most - including me - came to.
If more folks joined in towards the end of the march - I didn't see that. I had to come home to do some more work.
Thanks for commenting and I hope the photos conveyed some of the feelings of the participants.
Karen Ocamb | November 5, 2009 4:34 PM
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Def more, but the photos were great... Thnx for coming out! I haven't checked any updates but the LA Times coverage posted by them on Facebook last night was awful... They implied everyone was in costume and make-up. Sigh. :-\
Robert Olivarez | November 5, 2009 4:44 PM
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Calling GLAAD.....
This used to be a big issue when the MSM reported on the CSW Pride parade - and there were always media-savvy types to make sure the full panoply of our community was represented. That said, I liked the "costumes" - but then, I'm a big fan of the work done by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Karen Ocamb | November 5, 2009 4:53 PM
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Yes, the sisters were great. They own one of the businesses, Rough Trade, that hosted us all afternoon and night. They were very helpful, loving and kind. And they do so much for our community.
But the actual event deserved better coverage overall, and accurate reflection of the participant's diversity.
And, frankly, don't the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence deserve better coverage of their work and service to the community than a close up picture and dismissive coverage of their "costumes" and "makeup."
Thnx for Calling GLADD. Not sure if you found the article, here it is:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/protesters-march-against-prop-8-in-hollywood.html
chat soon I am sure =)
Robert Olivarez | November 5, 2009 5:29 PM
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Thanks! We're used to it. Some people see nothing but 'colourful costumes' (they are habits to us) and that's one of the reasons we put on the make up: if people are easily distracted by the superficial exterior, that's part of the problem.
We're still people, citizens, and JUST LIKE YOU.
Sort of.
May I add my appreciation of the event organizers and the LAPD, who again worked together quickly, efficiently and reasonably to bring a challenging event to fruition.
Sister Mary FP | November 5, 2009 5:53 PM
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You are nothing like me...
...you are much more loving and kind, and do much more work in the community than I do.
Thank you for everything... we are blessed to have each of you.
Robert Olivarez | November 5, 2009 6:01 PM
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And so goes the public memory. 150 people showed up a year later while thousands were pouring into the streets when the pain was still raw. Sadly, we're used to being beaten down. While we rebel, eventually - like any downtrodden people - we resume our place, bow our heads, and accept that things suck and aren't going to change anytime soon.
Bil Browning | November 6, 2009 11:54 AM
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Bil, the truth may be a lot simpler and perhaps more frightening -- this rally started in an area between Hollywood, and south of "East Hollywood" - Los Feliz, Silverlake, etc - where gays hang out.
I asked some folks at the rallying point why there weren't more people there - and they opined that it was "too far to go" - ie from West Hollywood - and unfamiliar. And besides, Prop 8 is over. And nobody heard about it - they weren't on the necessary Facebook page, etc.
What we advocate/activists types who live and breathe politics tend to forget is that most folks get angry, get excited about protesting, then go home to their lives - and it takes a lot to get them excited again.
Other than those who are volunteering for the long haul - trainings with Camp Courage and the Center's Vote for Equality outreach - Prop 8 is old news. There really wasn't even much consternation about Maine - that I could discern - at that rally - though apparently the speakers brought it up later. ANd this was the day after the defeat.
So it's not just about being accustomed to hanging our heads - which is true, especially in areas where it is not easy to be open. But there is also the "shrug factor" - the 'Oh, well," it doesn't effect me apathy that creeps quickly back in.
Anyway ---- it's a long haul....
Karen Ocamb | November 6, 2009 12:36 PM
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